3 Chic New Ways to Take Your Manicure

The pros behind the new NYC nail studio, Paintbox, give a step by step how to recreate the top looks for tips of the season, straight from their new look book.

1 of 4

Courtesy Paintbox

The Nail Trend: Borderline

"It's the new way to do a moon manicure," says Julie Kandalec, Creative Director of Paintbox. And there's a reason why it's more visually exciting: "The white base makes the other bright colors really pop from the contrast, and the moon shape comes to a super chic point at the corners (instead of a curve which can read too precious)," she explains.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT:

"This look is for the woman who likes a subtle, chic contrast." says Kandalec.

"It's a spin on the classic nude or French manicure but because the tips are in ombre metallics (or you can even just pick one metallic shade for all of the tips), it's on-trend without being too in your face," says Kandalec.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT:

"It's a juxtaposition of uber-feminine polish colors with some edginess from the reflective tips," she says. "The metallic tips make a nude manicure look more expensive, vibrant and luxe."

THE PAINTBOX HOW-TO:

1. Polish the nail in two coats of the base color and allow to dry. "The base color should be very close to your skin tone," says Kandalec, who notes that the studio uses Essie Romper Room (for fair complexions) and Essie Blanc (on very pale skin), $9 each, essie.com; Zoya Avery (medium complexions) and Zoya Flynn (for darker skin types), $9, zoya.com.

2. "Polish each tip in a different metallic—then apply the metallic tip wide enough so you can really see the color," she says. "The ombre metallics are subtle and sophisticated."

This throwback style is still chic: "The negative space as the moon feels sexy and fresh because it lets your natural nail peek through—the exact same way it was done decades ago," explains Kandalec.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT:

"It's for the woman who wants the power and confidence that fire-engine red nails portray, but also wants to show style and individuality through having a surprising element of the negative space," says Kandalec. Think: classic, graphic and statement-making. "It adds flare that's unpredictable, like a geometric cut-out in your LBD or an unexpected use of leather," she adds.

THE PAINTBOX HOW-TO:

1. "Polish the entire nail with the base color, then go back with an accent color on top of it to do the moon and the tip," she says.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Harper's BAZAAR participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.